A suspected member of the Hezbollah terrorist organization was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents earlier this month while attempting to cross the border from Lebanon into the United States, reportedly intending to carry out a terrorist bombing in New York City.
The individual, identified as Basel Bassel Ebbadi, aged 22, was intercepted near El Paso, Texas, on March 9, during the month of Ramadan. According to a report by the New York Post, Ebbadi confessed his intention to orchestrate a terrorist attack in New York City, stating, “I’m going to try to make a bomb,” as documented by Border Patrol officials.
Ebbadi revealed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities that he had undergone training with Hezbollah for seven years and had served four years as an armed member of the Middle Eastern terrorist group. He disclosed his involvement in guarding weapons and participating in activities aimed at promoting “jihad” and targeting individuals who were not followers of Islam. However, he expressed a desire to leave Lebanon and cease engaging in violent activities, citing a reluctance to continue causing harm to others.
Despite his attempts to leave the organization, Ebbadi claimed that once someone becomes associated with Hezbollah, they are unable to sever ties. He was detained while attempting to cross the U.S. border without proper documentation to verify his Lebanese background, asserting that his documents had been stolen from him during a robbery in Costa Rica.
Further investigation revealed that Ebbadi had utilized fake identities in several countries, including Sweden, Ecuador, and Panama. He confessed to intending to travel to New York City before potentially moving to other locations within the U.S.
Following his apprehension, Ebbadi was placed in isolation for questioning by the Tactical Terrorism Response Team, facing allegations of making terroristic threats against personnel. He is slated for deportation to an undisclosed country.
In response to the incident, Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Chris Olivarez emphasized the necessity of bolstering border security measures, highlighting Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star initiative aimed at enhancing border protection efforts.
